Ok just got a little pissed off today trying to change out me old to my new RB rotors and hawk hp+s.

First off I didnt realize the rear calipers piston had to be screwed in so after trying to compress it with a c clamp for a while I got on here and found out I needed a special tool, or needle nose pliers. That took long enough to do because I didnt check here first.

After finishing up my rears I moved on to the front brake system. removed the caliper system on both sides (took them off to paint the calipers a dark blue and the dust shield blank as they looked very dingy). When I went to pop off the old rotors to put on the new ones I tried to use my rubber mallet and needless to say they wouldnt budge. I then realize that there are two extra "circles" in the rotors, these "circles" turned out to be completely stripped out screws that hold in the rotor, on both sides..........I mean really what idiot stripped these things out so you cannot remove the rotors.

Needless to say I put it all back together and just dropped it off at my favorite local shop to have them take care of it tomorrow.


Sorry, just wasted a lot of time today and was a little pissed off considering I dont have a garage and its over 90 degrees outside.

 

We were doing almost the same thing Saturday

Those rotors pissed me off too. My driver's side front popped off with relatively small amount of effort but the other side was absolutely fused together. I used a lot of PB blaster and WD-40 and pretty much destroyed my rubber mallet trying to get them off. But i did. Sorry you didn't have the same result.

 

All I can say is be glad you aren't working on an old Suzuki outboard that's seen service in saltwater. Quit yer bitchin!

 

How can such an esteemed senior member not know to simply check the DIY prior to commencing so he would know the rear caliper pistons must be screw-retracted (and therefore require a special socket or tool)?

And also the need to use a hand impact driver to remove rusted front rotor retainer screws?

I'm shocked and dismayed.

 

You can rent the tool to turn it at Autozone. It may be free and you just leave a CC number.

 

Props for doing it yourself though

 

Yes, at least there's taht.

In fairness, the dissimilar metal-induced rust/occlusive seal between the wheel and hub can be problematic. I hate to resort to it but sometimes have to carefully slip a screwdriver blade in there just to break the seal.

Case in point for routinely rotating your wheels. After wire brushing flash rust, a little copper grease on the hub face can help as well. Of course don't grease the lug threads.

 

Here is a quick way to change the Front Rotors just did this on my wife's LY 8 ...

Forget about the impact tool to remove the retaining screws... Drill them out...

there is a "threaded hole" in each of the four rotors... insert correct size bolt and tighten till "Bing" the rotor pops free...easy as that...

 

You can buy the tool to turn the rears almost any auto store for like 9.95... the RX-8 isn't the only car that uses it BTW, it's pretty common. As for stripped out screws, a drill make short work of them in about 10 seconds, and that's also a common thing for rotors. Don't know, but seems like relatively minor obstacles to a DIY project, esp. considering you have the forum. It would be, like, the 1st step to peruse the forum for a bit of advice and few hard won tips..... on the other hand... in 90 deg heat, nothing is fun or simple doing it yourself